Prevalence, risk factors, and clinical impact of restless leg syndrome on uremia patients with hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) seriously affects the sleep and life quality of patients, yet it often leads to delay in diagnosis and treatment due to a lack of awareness. Clinical studies on RLS, particularly regarding its epidemiology in uremia patients, remain relatively scarce.

OBJECTIVE

This study conducted a clinical analysis to assess the frequency of RLS among hemodialysis patients and to explore its impact on their sleep and quality of life.

METHODS

We collected clinical data and laboratory results from 147 uremia patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis at Xiangyang Central Hospital. Independent risk factors for RLS were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Sleep quality and quality of life were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), respectively. We compared these outcomes between the RLS and non-RLS groups.

RESULTS

Among the 147 patients, 30 (20.41, 95% CI, 14.0-27.0%) were diagnosed with RLS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, performed with caution due to the limited number of RLS cases (n = 30), identified β2-microglobulin, dialysis duration, and parathyroid hormone as potential independent risk factors for RLS in this population. Compared to the non-RLS group, patients with RLS had significantly lower physiological function scores on the SF-36 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the RLS group exhibited significantly higher PSQI scores in the domains of subjective sleep quality, sleep persistence, habitual sleep efficiency, and daytime dysfunction (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of RLS is notably elevated in uremia patients on maintenance hemodialysis. RLS significantly impairs both sleep quality and the physiological function of these patients. Early identification and management of RLS are crucial for improving their overall well-being. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm the identified risk factors.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: MedicalResearch.org.cn, MR-42-24-017773.